Who was the most overhyped skater by commentators/writers/insiders in skating

Who is most overhyped and overpraised skater/team ever by commentators, writers, skating insiders


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For sure. When it came to ice dance, Barbara Underhill often talked about stuff like emotional quality, audience connection, etc. Not so much about the other (and IMO) more important aspects of ice dance! I even remember her comment about G&P's FD in 1992 about how she wanted to see more emotion and how it was a little sterile for her tastes. But that was the point of the program! It was a voidy free dance where they represented robots who come to life. It was meant to have a cold and clinical feel to it. That's actually one of the reasons why I loved that free dance from G&P. Their cold and clinical free dance provided a fascinating contrast to the red hot passion the other 2 Unified Team teams showcased.

Boy I love that program still today. It's one of the best programs I've seen in ID. :swoon:
I would've loved to see them win with that program in 94.
 
Boy I love that program still today. It's one of the best programs I've seen in ID. :swoon:
I would've loved to see them win with that program in 94.

I really love it too. I especially loved the middle and final section (I'm kind of meh on the first section). The choreography was meticulous. The only thing that soured me from it was in the CBC telecast, Underhill started yammering just as they were finishing the program about how interesting the program was but how she wanted to see more emotion and how sterile it was. It kind of ruins the moment!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgaw0QaH_f0
 
I really love it too. I especially loved the middle and final section (I'm kind of meh on the first section). The choreography was meticulous. The only thing that soured me from it was in the CBC telecast, Underhill started yammering just as they were finishing the program about how interesting the program was but how she wanted to see more emotion and how sterile it was. It kind of ruins the moment!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgaw0QaH_f0

I was lucky I didn't watch with her commentary at the time. lol But I remember a very good commentary of this program by Dean himself. There is a video on YT with his commentary. I think it was BBC?
He was very positive about them. Oh the irony. :D

p.s. I see in the comments down below the video that we actually both commented 4 yrs ago. :biggrinbo
 
I was lucky I didn't watch with her commentary at the time. lol But I remember a very good commentary of this program by Dean himself. There is a video on YT with his commentary. I think it was BBC?
He was very positive about them. Oh the irony. :D

p.s. I see in the comments down below the video that we actually both commented 4 yrs ago. :biggrinbo

Yup, it's this one with Christopher Dean commentating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRlNzp_V35A

I like how they talk AFTER the performance is over!
 
Where are Papadakis Cizeron? I can't listen love song that commentators always sing about their skating.
 
There is better language to discuss it than language that demeans the feminine. Demeaning all things feminine is androcentrism.

If you think a female skater is packaged badly, say "I think that her costume/appearance does not suit her". See how simple that is? Saying "pweety pwincess" is demeaning.

I never even use the words 'pretty princess' to describe a skater, let alone use it by substituting the two 'r' with 'w'

I admit that I do use 'baby ballerina', and perhaps that is demeaning and I should reconsider the term. But to me it is not demeaning, but rather refers to a pre-pubescent girl who has mot yet matured physically (or remains girlish after puberty) and is balletic. I don't care for this type/style of skating.

However, I will note that the term 'ice princess' is used quite commonly. I don't like it, and I don't use it.

If a female skater does not appear stereotypically feminine--based on music, hair and costume color mostly--she is deemed "athletic" and "powerful". You did it yourself. So the very clear implication is that athletic and powerful = not feminine and feminine = childish and weak. As if a certain subset of female skaters are not athletic by virtue of ballet music or up dos.

That's not the implication to me. I certainly don't equate feminine with childish and weak.

But let's face it, there is a stereotype for ladies figure skating, and it does not tend to emphasize the value of power and athleticism. In saying athleticism, I refer to an athletic style of skating and programs that highlight that style.

What troubles me that female skaters who are powerful and athletic are not always encouraged to explore the potential for that. Daleman had an amazing opportunity when she chose 'Gladiator' (There were a few female gladiators in the days of the gladiators). There were opportunities for both costuming and music, but she didn't really explore them and chose a tinkly piano version of the music.

I also think that the lack of emphasis on power and athleticism is the reason why more ladies aren't attempting 3As and quads.

I have yet to see a female skater be attacked here or anywhere else in the skating social media world for being too masculine.

Irina Slutskaya, who was often said to "skate like a truck driver".
 

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